Mother’s Day Matters Now More Than Ever

On Sunday, Americans nationwide will pause to celebrate the women who gave them life, nurtured their souls, and shaped their values.

This year, though, Mother’s Day takes on a more profound urgency. In a culture that increasingly questions women’s roles, dismantles the beauty of motherhood, and diminishes the value of life itself, honoring mothers is not merely a sentimental tradition — it’s a spiritual necessity.

From a Christian perspective, motherhood is not a social construct or biological coincidence but a divine calling. Scripture overflows with reverence for the role of mothers, from Eve, the “mother of all the living,” to Mary, the mother of Christ, whose humble obedience helped change the world.

Proverbs 31 commends the godly woman whose strength and dignity guide her household. In Exodus, we see Jochebed’s courageous love in protecting her baby, Moses. The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy that his sincere faith first lived in his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. Scripture is clear: Mothers are essential, not optional.

Yet today, motherhood is under siege.

Radical ideologies seek to blur the lines between men and women, challenging not only biology but also God’s design for the family. Activists argue that gender is fluid and that anyone can be a mother, regardless of sex. Terms like “birthing person” attempt to erase the very word “mother,” stripping it of its identity and sacredness. Such distortions not only confuse children and parents, but they also undermine the biblical truth that God created male and female with a purpose.

Our secular society increasingly devalues the maternal vocation. Young women are told that career, independence, and self-fulfillment should come before family. The choice to be a stay-at-home mom, or even a mother who stands up publicly for the right to direct her child’s upbringing and values, is often met with ridicule or pity rather than respect. Once regarded as a crowning joy, motherhood is now treated as a burden or an obstacle to personal ambition.

However, the attacks are not only on family roles and vocation. Even the sanctity of life — central to motherhood — is under relentless assault. Abortion is defended not merely as a right but as a virtue. In many places, laws allow for the destruction of unborn children up to the moment of birth. This is a far cry from the biblical view that life begins in the womb: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb,” as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 139.

Mother’s Day, as we know it today, began through the efforts of three Christian women: Julia Ward Howe, Ann Jarvis, and Anna Jarvis, though the official celebration as we know it today can be primarily attributed to Anna Jarvis. Inspired by her mother, Ann Jarvis’s dedication to helping mothers and advocating for their recognition, Anna set out to establish a day in their honor. In 1908, she organized the first significant observance of Mother’s Day with a memorial service held in Grafton, West Virginia, to honor her late mother.

Anna’s campaign quickly gained momentum. She partnered with retailers — including florists and department stores — to promote the idea and raise public awareness. By 1912, the concept had spread nationwide. Her efforts paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson officially designated Mother’s Day as a national holiday, to be celebrated each year on the second Sunday of May.

Mother’s Day, however, is more than a national holiday. Honoring mothers affirms God’s creation. It declares that femininity, fertility, and family are not relics of the past but divine gifts for our flourishing. A society that forgets to honor its mothers will inevitably lose its moral compass.

This day also provides an opportunity for healing. Many women carry deep wounds from miscarriage, infertility, or challenging relationships. Others bear the burden of single motherhood, carrying alone what God designed to be shared. The Church must extend grace, compassion, and support to every mother and mother-at-heart, reminding them that their identity is not in their past but in Christ, who redeems and restores.

Honoring mothers also calls fathers and children to action. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church — with humility, selflessness, and unwavering commitment. Children are to obey and cherish their parents, not just when convenient but as a lifelong principle. As Ephesians 6:2 reminds us, “Honor your father and mother,” referring to it as the first commandment with a promise.

For those whose mothers are no longer with them, this day offers a chance to reflect and give thanks. The next generation can pass on the values and memories they instilled, to become a beacon of wisdom and grace for those who follow.

Christians should lead the charge in restoring a culture of honor around motherhood. That includes more than flowers and cards — it involves practical support through mentoring young moms, helping single mothers, caring for grandmothers and great-grandmothers and seeking their advice, and advocating for policies that strengthen families rather than fragment them. Churches can create spaces where motherhood is celebrated, supported, and spiritually nourished.

The Gospel begins with a mother. Mary’s “yes” to God ushered in the incarnation of Christ, who would die and rise again to redeem humanity. Her quiet courage, tender care, and steadfast faith are eternal reminders that motherhood is a sacred calling.

In a world obsessed with self-expression, mothers teach us about self-giving. In a culture driven by personal pleasures, mothers offer enduring love.

This Mother’s Day, let us honor the women who gave us life and the God who gave us mothers. Let us resist the tide of cultural confusion and reassert what the Bible has always taught: that motherhood is essential and worthy of our deepest respect.

If you like this article and other content that helps you apply a biblical worldview to today’s politics and culture, consider making a donation here.